后 (hòu) - queen & empress

后Tone 4

hòu ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 口

枫惠

后 · hòu

queen;

empress;

behind;

after;

later;

posterior;

used in words for time sequence and spatial position.

queenempressbehind

Usage highlights

queenbehindafterlaterposteriorback

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 前— front; before
  • 先— first; prior

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The queen (皇后) attended the ceremony.
  • Please wait behind me (后面).
  • We will meet after lunch (午餐后).
  • He arrived later (后来).

Collocations

  • queen(皇后)
  • behind(后面)
  • after(以后)
  • later(后来)
  • posterior(后部)
  • back(后方)

Idioms

  • To think of danger in times of peace(居安思后)
  • To advance by retreating(以退为后)
  • To draw on the wisdom of the masses(集思广后)
  • To have no way out(走投无后)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, '后' originally referred to the sovereign or monarch, later specifically to the empress.
  • The character is associated with concepts of sequence, time, and spatial relationships in Chinese philosophy.
  • In traditional Chinese culture, '后' carries connotations of authority, lineage, and continuity.

FAQ